Equatorial Guinea's Viera Ellong Doualla (L) is challenged by Gabon's Didier Ndong during their African Cup of Nations match in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Sunday. — AP
EBEBIYIN, Equatorial Guinea — Equatorial Guinea sparked jubilant celebrations around the country Sunday as the host snatched an unlikely African Nations Cup quarterfinal place after a pulsating 2-0 win over neighbors Gabon.
The victory in Bata ensured a second-place finish in Group A behind Congo, which beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in Ebebiyin to condemn the 2013 runner-up to an embarrassing early exit.
Equatorial Guinea's progress to the knockout stages defied all odds as it only secured a place in the tournament after stepping in as host at late notice in place of Morocco. As a result it had only a month to prepare for the tournament and appointed a coach just two weeks before kick off.
But the Argentine-born Esteban Becker and his young charges were the toast of the tiny African nation after second-half goals by Javier Balboa and substitute Iban Salvador gave them a memorable win in front of 35,000 roaring fans.
Having soaked up incessant pressure throughout the match, Equatorial Guinea took the lead when striker Balboa blasted home a penalty in the 55th minute after being fouled.
Substitute Salvador rounded off a swift break in the closing stages, sweeping home a rebound after Gabon keeper Didier Ovono parried an Emilio Nsue shot straight into his path.
Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Felipe Ovono was central to its success, having produced a string of superb saves to deny Gabon forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frederic Bulot.
Equatorial Guinea has to wait until Monday night to find out the identity of its quarterfinal opponent when Group B is concluded but it is set to play in the 5,000-seater Ebebiyin Stadium Saturday.
Congo will return to Bata as Group A winner after Fabrice Ondama scored its winner in a 2-1 triumph over the Burkinabe.
“The luck was not on our side,” Burkina Faso coach Paul Put told reporters. Burkina Faso had a magical run through the 2013 Finals but there was no resemblance of that sorcery after yet another limp performance. It had lost to Gabon and drawn 0-0 with Equatorial Guinea in its opening two group matches.
Thievy Bifouma put Congo ahead in the 51st minute but the prospect of a grandstand finish was created when Burkina Faso finally scored its first goal of the tournament after more than four hours.
Aristide Bance equalized by converting a square pass from Issiaka Ouedraogo in the 86th minute to set up a potentially thrilling final four minutes only for a goalkeeping error to allow Ondama to restore Congo's lead within one minute.
Germain Sanou punched his clearance straight onto Ondama for Congo's winner. — Reuters
